Brian Tsao is not your typical chef. Born in Flushing, Queens, Tsao was immersed into a family rich with Asian heritage & culinary traditions as the son of a Chinese father & Korean mother. At age fifteen, Tsao journeyed to Beijing to study at the prestigious World Youth Academy without even knowing Chinese. During his six years in China, Tsao traveled throughout Asia extensively, learning about the specialties of each region, finding himself most influenced by the cuisines in China, Korea & Malaysia.

Tsao was classically trained at the Culinary Institute of America and has led the kitchen as Chef De Cuisine of Beauty & Essex NYC, adding his fresh take on Asian cuisine to the already internationally-inspired small plates menu. Prior to that, Tsao’s role as Executive Chef of Mira Sushi & Izakaya led him to a victory over Bobby Flay on the first season of his eponymous Food Network show, Beat Bobby Flay. Tsao is the first & only chef ever to beat Bobby Flay in the first season.

When Tsao isn’t in the kitchen, he spends time performing as the lead guitarist in heavy metal band Loss Becomes.